Cercocarpus betuloides is a shrub or small tree in the rose family.[2] Its common names include mountain mahogany and birch leaf mountain mahogany[2][3] The common name "mahogany" comes from the hardness and color of the wood, although the genus is not a true mahogany.[2]
The plant is native to California, Baja California, Oregon, Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico.[4] It typically grows in summer dry areas of the foothills and mountains of California, often in chaparral communities.[2]
Cercocarpus betuloides is a shrub or small tree growing from 3 feet (0.91 m) to 30 feet (9.1 m).[2][5] Its branches are incised and muscular in appearance from the side. In cross section they appear lobed.
Common shrub associates within the chaparral community include toyon.[6]
The leaves are distinctive in that they have smooth edges from the base to about half way up, then are wavy or toothed to the rounded tip.[2]
Betula is the birch genus, and the species name refers to the birch-like leaves.[2]
The white flowers are small, clustered, and mildly scented, similar to acacia.[2]
The fruit is a tubular achene with the long, plumelike flower style still attached.
The genus name comes from the Greek kerkos ("tail"), referring to the tail-like appearance of the fruit; and carpus ("fruit"), thus, "fruit with tail".
There are three varieties:[7][8]
Cercocarpus betuloides is sometimes treated as a part of Cercocarpus montanus,[13] var. glaber in particular.[14]
Deer, cattle and sheep browse the plant.[15]
The reddish wood of the shrub is very hard and was traditionally used by the indigenous peoples of California to make arrow tips, fishing spears, and digging sticks.[2]
Cercocarpus betuloides is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty nurseries for planting in native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens; and in designed natural landscaping projects and habitat restoration programs.[16][17]
Cercocarpus betuloides is a shrub or small tree in the rose family. Its common names include mountain mahogany and birch leaf mountain mahogany The common name "mahogany" comes from the hardness and color of the wood, although the genus is not a true mahogany.
Cercocarpus betuloides es un arbusto o árbol pequeño en la familia de las rosáceas.[1][2]
La planta es originaria de California y Baja California, en Oregon y Arizona. Por lo general crece en verano en las zonas secas de las colinas y las montañas de California , a menudo en comunidades de chaparral.[1]
Cercocarpus betuloides es un arbusto o pequeño árbol que alcanza un tamaño de 0,91 m a 9,1 m de altura.[1][3] Sus ramas en sección transversal aparecen lobuladas. Las hojas son distintivas en que tienen bordes lisos desde la base hasta la mitad, entonces son ondulados o dentados con la punta redondeada.[1] Las flores blancas son pequeñas, agrupadas, y ligeramente perfumadas, similaes a las de acacia.[1] El fruto es un aquenio tubular con el largo estilo de la flor como una pluma todavía unido.
El madera rojiza del arbusto es muy dura y se ha utilizado tradicionalmente por los pueblos indígenas de California para hacer puntas de flecha, lanzas de pesca y palos de excavación.[1]
Cercocarpus betuloides se cultiva como planta ornamental en los viveros de la especialidad para la siembra de planta nativa, tolerante a la sequía y jardines de vida silvestre ; y en diseño de los proyectos de paisajismo natural y de programas de restauración de hábitat.[4][5]
Cercocarpus betuloides fue descrita por Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray y publicado en A Flora of North America: containing . . . 1(3): 427. 1840.[6]
Cercocarpus: nombre genérico que proviene del griego kerkos ("cola"), en referencia a la aparición de la cola de la fruta; y carpo ("fruto"), por lo tanto, "la fruta con cola".
betuloides: epíteto latíno compuesto que significa "similar a Betula".
